[An American general and statesman; born in North Carolina, March 15, 1767; began the practice of law in Nashville, Tenn., 1788; representative to Congress, 1796; senator, 1797; judge of the Supreme Court of Tennessee, 17981804; defended New Orleans against the British, 1815; served in the Creek and Seminole wars; governor of Florida, 1821; United-States senator, 1823; President of the United States, 18291837; suppressed nullification, 1832; died June 8, 1845.]

At a banquet at Washington, on Jeffersons birthday, April 30, 1830. When the regular toasts which savored of the doctrine of nullification had been given, the President was called upon for a volunteer sentiment, and gave what was thought to be an impromptu, but what had in reality been prepared with deliberation. It electrified the country, and became a watchword.

When asked in his last illness by Dr. Edgar what he would have done, had Calhoun and his followers persisted in their attempt of nullification, he answered, Hung them, sir, as high as Haman! They should have been a terror to traitors to all time, and posterity would have pronounced it the best act of my life. As he said these words, says his biographer Parton, he half rose in bed, and all the old fire glowed in his eyes again.